Balance



(No Model.)

A. J. GASTON.

BALANCE.

No. 437,379. Patented Sept. 30, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTINE J. GASTON, OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN.

BALANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,379, dated September 30, 1890.

Application filed January 7, 1890. Serial No. 336,141. '(No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTINE J. GASTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beloit, in the county of Rock and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scales, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a scale more especially for family use, which can be swung out of the way when not in use; and it consists of a bracket from which is pivotally suspended the scale proper.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an isometrical representation of the scale embodying my invention, in which the parts are in position for use. Fig. 2 is also an isometrical representation of the scale, and in which the parts are swung out of operative position. Fig. 3 is a lengthwise vertical section of the scale-pan clamped in a horizontal position. Fig. 4 is also a lengthwise vertical section of the scale-pan in which it is free to turn upon its axis.

To the main support 1 is secured the base portion 2 of the bracket by screws 3. From the face of this base portion project perforated ears 4. To this base portion is pivoted a swinging overhanging arm 5 by lugs cast integral with the arm and entering the perforated ears of the base portion 2. To the free end of this armis pivoted an arm 6, forming a support to the scale proper. At the junction of these arms I have made their adjoining surfaces in circular form to give greater area of surface, by which strength is imparted to the parts.

To the free end under face of the scale-supporting arm depends a guide 7 for the outer end of the scale-beam.

Nearly under the pivotal connection between the arms 5 and 6 and from the under side of the arm 6 depends a hook 8. A yoke 10 is supported by this hook and has the usual connection with the scale-beam 11. The longer end of the scale-beam passes through the guide 7 and has a weight-receiving spindle 12 suspended therefrom. The short arm has the usual balancing-ball 13, supported by a screwthreaded rod 14, and a movable weight 15 is mounted to slide on the scale-beam.

A scale-pan 16 is formed with two square projections 17, which are bored diametrically. These projections fit into square sockets 18, connected by a bail 19, of spring-wire, suspended from the scale-beam by the yoke 20, engaging a knife-edge projection on the scalebeam.

An axial bolt 21 passes through the sockets 18 and projections 17 and to its projecting end is pivoted a cam or eccentric 22, as shown in the drawings.

When the scale is in use, the general position is shown at Fig. 1. The arm 5 is swung on its pivot to stand at about right angles to its base-support. With the scale-pan in its horizontal position it will be free from contact with the wall.

The scale can be moved out of the way by first turning the scale-pan to assume a vertical position, which is accomplished by turning the eccentric 22 downward, as shown at Fig. 4. The spring material of the bail 19 will force the sockets 18 apart until the square portion of the scale-pan is freed therefrom. The scale-pan can then be turned on its axis to a vertical position. The eccentric is then turned up, which will clamp the projectlons in the sockets, when the parts will assume the position shown at Fig. 2. The angle between the arms 5 and 6 is then straightened and the arm 5 swung on its pivotal connection with the base-support 2 until the arms assume the positions shown in Fig. 2, or the arm 6 may be folded under the arm 5, in which position they will occupy less room.

By this arrangement of a scale I can supply the demand for a cheap, efficient, and compact scale for household use-one that can be folded and swung against the wall when not in use, and which when extended will be within convenient reach for use, and

by reason of the hinge-joints can be made to occupy almost any position.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of a scale-beam, a reversible scale-pan suspended therefrom, and an eccentric for locking the pan in the de sired position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a scale-beam, a scalepan having square projections, a bail suspended from the scale-beam and provided with square sockets which receive the pro ection of the sea-impa r, and amecnenztnic 0. clampingtheprojections and socketstogether, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a scale-beam abailv of spring material suspended therefrom, me-

tallic sockets secured totihe freev ends of the.

bail, a scale-pan suspended from the scale beam and provided with square projections, I and a device for clamping the projections and sockets together against the spring action of the bail, substantially as set forth.

,4. The cnmhi-nationsof abasaplaigan arm wv ga pivotaliconnection the ew thr Wev 0nd arm pivotally suspended from the firstnamed arm, and aweighing device supported by the second-named arm, substantially as set forth. 1

AUGUSTINE J. GASTONf "Witnesses:

H. P. W. BRITTON, 1 EDGAR S. GREENE. 

